Red alder is one of the fastest growing trees in Whatcom County, and one of the shortest lived.
Alders quickly colonize cleared and logged ground, which is why so many rural lots around Deming, Maple Falls, and Everson have stands of them that are all the same age. They rarely live much past a century, many start declining well before that, and heart rot can hollow a trunk that still looks healthy outside.
Signs to watch include dead tops, sparse leaves, shelf fungus on the trunk, and bark that cracks or sounds hollow. Because alders often grow in groups, one failing tree can expose its neighbors to wind they are not used to. Alders along property lines, driveways, and power lines are especially worth watching as they age.
Alders still earn their place, adding nitrogen to the soil and shading streams. Deciding which to keep and which to remove is a judgment best made tree by tree, with an eye on what each one could hit.
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A stand of mature red alders on a rural Whatcom County lot, or a close-up of shelf fungus or a dead alder top from a recent job. Authentic job photos outperform stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Know When Your Alders Are Aging Out" or "Fast Growing, Short Lived: Red Alder"